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Original poster

Have I been scammed

86 replies

Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 07:10

Sorry guys I'm currently worked up into a frenzy been awake all night worrying.
I booked airline tickets through a website called cheapflyshop at a cost of £800.
Ive recieved a booking confirmation email but on reading the details within the email it says e tickets to be issued within 48hrs and states ticket number pending.
It also says they are working with their suppliers to secure my reservation and places are in high demand.
I have since gone on this companies reviews and found that customers are been called and been asked to pay more money for different flights and for extras etc and when the customer has refused they will not refund money etc.
I am so worried now I can't afford to lose this money and cannot pay more.
Help what I do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 11:55

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 22/02/2025 11:36

Sorry op but I wonder have gone near that website, I've just had a look at the website, the about us is littered with mistakes.

I've just looked yes your right I can't believe what I've done.

OP posts:
Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 11:54

I've called my credit card company and like I suspected they can't do anything until the transaction has moved out of pending.

OP posts:
Givemestrength1000 · 22/02/2025 11:36

If you’ve booked by credit card, you’re fine

Anotherparkingthread · 22/02/2025 11:36

roses2 · 22/02/2025 11:35

If you call the bank quickly enough they can put a stop on the payment.

This is a myth, banks cannot stop payments pending. I work for a bank. Payments go out then you dispute with evidence of the issue.

Relax OP. Either you'll get your tickets for the price you booked or you can get a refund either from the company or your credit card company.

It's not a myth I've stopped a ton of payments.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 22/02/2025 11:36

Sorry op but I wonder have gone near that website, I've just had a look at the website, the about us is littered with mistakes.

Anotherparkingthread · 22/02/2025 11:36

Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 11:30

It's not that simple they won't do anything as the payment is still in pending stage

Show quote history

Of course they will, when it's pending it's very easy to reverse as it hasn't tryly left your account yet.

I'm starting to think you want to risk losing this money lol

roses2 · 22/02/2025 11:35

If you call the bank quickly enough they can put a stop on the payment.

This is a myth, banks cannot stop payments pending. I work for a bank. Payments go out then you dispute with evidence of the issue.

Relax OP. Either you'll get your tickets for the price you booked or you can get a refund either from the company or your credit card company.

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 11:30

Anotherparkingthread · 22/02/2025 11:28

Stop being stupid lol. Do you want to be scammed?

If you call the bank quickly enough they can put a stop on the payment. They will be able to pull the money back to your account. If you leave it they may not be able to.

Call them, as every other poster has told you to, or accept that you will lose 800 quid.

Show quote history

It's not that simple they won't do anything as the payment is still in pending stage

OP posts:
Anotherparkingthread · 22/02/2025 11:28

Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 11:24

I'll give them the 48 hrs then if no contact I will raise a dispute with my credit card company.

Stop being stupid lol. Do you want to be scammed?

If you call the bank quickly enough they can put a stop on the payment. They will be able to pull the money back to your account. If you leave it they may not be able to.

Call them, as every other poster has told you to, or accept that you will lose 800 quid.

Beenaboutabit · 22/02/2025 11:28

I fly around 5 times a year and use Skyscanner or Google flights and go with the cheapest option- often this is a 3rd party operator. Sometimes the flight isn’t actually available at the price Skyscanner quoted, but when it is, the ticket confirmation has always come through in 24 hours or less. Once that comes, it has a reference number that lets me check directly with the airline website and use that to keep track of the flight, check in and so on.

The company OP has used might be sketchy- it seems that way. But OP, it might be OK and if it isn’t and you can’t get a refund, you are protected by your credit card. The money is not lost.

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 11:24

I'll give them the 48 hrs then if no contact I will raise a dispute with my credit card company.

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 22/02/2025 11:23

Cheapflyshop sounds like a complete scam before I even read your post tbh. Maybe you can do an online chat with your bank for advice?

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 11:23

The ironic things is that the tickets where not super cheap there was other platforms offering similar prices. This has ruined my weekend

OP posts:
Whammyyammy · 22/02/2025 11:18

Never2many · 22/02/2025 11:05

You need to be able to prove to the bank that you’ve attempted to resolve the issue with the merchant before you can do a chargeback. You can’t just ring the bank and say “I want my money back please give it to me.”

Show quote history

My credit card (AA) have twice done an instant charge back on my request and said the retailer will have to prove otherwise, but told them I tried to make contact but they don't respond.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 22/02/2025 11:09

OK - MNHQ have removed my screenshots of the email addresses!

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 22/02/2025 11:09

Here are the two email addresses

Have I been scammed
Have I been scammed
MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 22/02/2025 11:08

Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 10:37

[email protected] this one provided on the booking confirmation

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Yeah - you’ve typed the email address wrong. You’ve missed out a hyphen!

Never2many · 22/02/2025 11:05

Missionimprobable · 22/02/2025 07:20

You could try asking your bank or credit card for a chargeback.
Not sure if this will work as its usually for if you've been charged twice or for faulty goods etc but ring up and ask.
Dont wait, do it now.
Also use the 14 day cooling off period, contact the company and say you want to cancel, 14 days is the minimum UK cooling off period.
Update us, good luck

You need to be able to prove to the bank that you’ve attempted to resolve the issue with the merchant before you can do a chargeback. You can’t just ring the bank and say “I want my money back please give it to me.”

Whammyyammy · 22/02/2025 11:04

Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 10:59

I think they may ask me what I've done to sort the situation but so far I've only sent a email

Show quote history

Can't do any harm. If you have been scammed they may be able to help or offer advice

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 11:01

I know I should call but if this platform is been operated how I think by people not speaking good English I'm going to struggle I already have a phobia with phone calls

OP posts:
Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 10:59

Whammyyammy · 22/02/2025 10:58

Can you call your bank/credit card? The earlier you call them the better I would think. Be better if you payed with credit card

I think they may ask me what I've done to sort the situation but so far I've only sent a email

OP posts:
Whammyyammy · 22/02/2025 10:58

Can you call your bank/credit card? The earlier you call them the better I would think. Be better if you payed with credit card

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 10:56

I'm so depressed right now

OP posts:
Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 10:55

Whammyyammy · 22/02/2025 10:48

I never understand people booking through a 3rd party, even worse when it's one of these "travel experts" that work for themselves at home.
Go direct to the airline or supplier. Cheaper as don't hide costs that develop after booking.

I know that now tbh Im not a regular traveller not that experienced in all of this i wasn't even aware that there are companies who let you book without it even been confirmed I hadn't a clue this was a thing.

OP posts:
Whammyyammy · 22/02/2025 10:48

I never understand people booking through a 3rd party, even worse when it's one of these "travel experts" that work for themselves at home.
Go direct to the airline or supplier. Cheaper as don't hide costs that develop after booking.

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